IAAF approves the application of 18 Russians to compete internationally as neutral athletes in 2018

Monaco, Jan 25, 2018: The IAAF Doping Review Board has agreed that the applications of 18 Russian athletes have met the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as neutral athletes in 2018 under competition Rule 22.1A(b) while the Russian national federation (RusAF) remains suspended (IAAF approves application 18 Russians).

In December 2017, the IAAF issued a simplified application process for 2017 Authorized Neutral Athletes to reapply for continued eligibility to compete in international competitions in 2018.

Since publication of the simplified application and updated guidelines under Rule 22.1A(b) in December [link], the IAAF has received just over 80 applications from Russian athletes, many of whom are wishing to compete in the summer season. The Doping Review Board is prioritizing, wherever possible, those of athletes wishing to compete in IAAF World Indoor Tour meetings and at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

The Doping Review Board, which is composed of Robert Hersh (chair), Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski, has accepted the applications of the following athletes:

The participation of all these athletes as neutral athletes in international competition is still subject to formalities for eligibility under IAAF Rules being completed and subject to acceptance of their entries by individual meeting organisers.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe commented: “Throughout this process, we have continued to support the aspirations of all clean athletes to participate in our major competitions. With access to new information from WADA at the end of last year the Doping Review Board is assessing all applications against this information as well as existing information.

It is a complex and lengthy process and once again, I wish to thank the Doping Review Board and the Athletics Integrity Unit for their dedication and diligence to the task at hand.”

As this is an ongoing process, the IAAF will only make announcements as and when decisions are made by the Doping Review Board concerning successful applications and those athletes have been informed. —- IAAF